Chemistry

Reactivity of Metals Lab

Introduction
In nature, elements can occur either free (uncombined with other elements) or chemically combined in
a compound. The tendency of an element to combine with other substances is called the reactivity of
that element. The more reactive an element is, the more likely it is to combine with other substances.
In a single-replacement reaction, one element takes the place of another element in a compound. In
general, more reactive elements replace less reactive elements. As a result of the reaction, the less
reactive element is freed from the compound.
In the reaction between zinc (Zn) and copper (II) sulfate (CuSO4), the more reactive zinc replaces
copper and combines with the sulfate ion. The less reactive copper is released from the compound and
becomes a free element. Likewise, when a metal is placed in hydrochloric acid (HCl), a single
replacement reaction can occur. If the metal is more reactive than the hydrogen in the acid, the metal
will replace the hydrogen, and bubbles of hydrogen gas (H2) will be produced. The more reactive a
metal is, the more vigorously it will react with hydrochloric acid.
In this lab, you will determine whether or not various metals undergo single-replacement reactions
when placed in hydrochloric acid. Based on your observations of these reactions, you will then rank the
metals by reactivity.
Purpose
Based on the introduction above, determine the purpose of this lab and record it in your lab notebook.
Equipment
graduated cylinder (10 mL)
marker

test tubes, 5 small

test-tube rack

Materials
aluminum [Al]
copper [Cu]
hydrochloric acid, 1M [HCl]

iron [Fe]
magnesium [Mg]
zinc [Zn]

Safety Considerations

Hydrochloric acid is damaging to the eyes; YOU MUST WEAR GOGGLES AT ALL TIMES.
Some of the metals may not complete react; DO NOT POUR THEM DOWN THE SINK.
Instead, pour them in the specially marked waste beakers.

Procedure:
1.

Use the glass marker to label each test tube with the symbol for each metal used in the lab.
Place the test tubes in a test-tube rack.
One at a time, place the appropriate metal in each test tube. Using a small graduated cylinder,
carefully measure and pour 5 mL of hydrochloric acid into each of the five test tubes.
Observe what happens to the metal in each test tube and feel each test tube as the reaction
proceeds. Record your observations in your lab notebook.

2.
3.

Clean-up and Disposal

1.

Pour any leftover acid or metals into the appropriately marked waste beaker, i.e. pour the Fe test
tube into the Fe waste beaker.
Clean and dry any used lab equipment and return to the proper lab drawer.
Wipe down your lab area.
Wash your hands before leaving the lab.

2.
3.
4.
Data

Your data table should look something like this:

Metal

Observations

Reactivity Rank

Aluminum
(Al)
Copper
(Cu)
etc. for all metals.
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Which of the metals that you tested in this investigation are more reactive than hydrogen?
Explain.
Which of the metals that you tested in this investigation are less reactive than hydrogen? Explain.
The rate at which hydrogen gas is produced as a result of these single-replacement reactions is
an indication of the relative reactivity of the metals. List the metals in order of their reactivity from
the most reactive to the least reactive.
Were these reactions endothermic or exothermic? Explain.
What could you do to determine whether the gas produced by these reactions is hydrogen?
For each test tube, write the chemical equation for the single replacement reaction that occurred
between the hyrdochloric acid and the metal. If no reaction occurred, write no reaction.

Errors
List four possible errors you may have committed in this lab that may have somehow affected your results.